Work Text:
There's a static noise coming directly from Jude's brain, loud and annoying, making everything much harder than it should be.
He takes another deep breath, having to use so much of his energy to focus on not spacing out in the middle of the fansign, as if he had a lot of energy to spare right now. Another person sits on the chair across from him, their eyes shining with excitement as he opens a smile as genuine as possible.
“Hello, how’s it going?” Jude greets them politely.
“Hi! Oh my God, you're even more gorgeous up close!” The flat out compliment makes him laugh and drop his head, reaching for the album on the table. “I love the new songs, everything is so good, and you've been dedicating so much on the performances Jude!”
“You're very kind, thank you” The answer is automatic as he leaves his autograph on the cover, the photo of himself staring right at him.
“Here, I got something for you”
“Hmm?” He looks up to find the fan holding a polar bear plushie, dressed in a black suit. The joke catches him so off guard he snorts before laughing, hands coming to cover his face.
“You liked it?” They ask eagerly, but he can't form an answer, just laugh harder. Jude takes the plushie into his hold, shaking his head softly before looking over his shoulder to the side of the stage. There's the staff and then there's him.
With a small gesture from Jude he walks over, the voices in the room getting louder with his presence. He stops just close enough and looks curiously at the object Jude offers.
“It's you” He says, overexplaining just to add to the joke, exploding in laughter again when realization floods Erling's features and he does an exaggerated eye roll.
When Jude calms down he can appreciate the blush on pale cheeks, how he's holding the plushie and looking at him as if there were just them in the room. For a moment he can pretend everything is fine, until he remembers it isn't.
Just to have something to do, the brit takes off the lamb headband he had been using, gifted by another fan some minutes before. “Can you take this too, please?”
Without a second thought, Erling takes the accessory and puts on himself, the room exploding in coos at the action. He keeps his eyes on Jude, looking at him expectantly. It makes his chest ache.
He barely has the stomach to smile at him, a small thing before he turns back to the fan.
“Here you go, thanks for the love”
Without a doubt, Jude is keeping a secret.
Erling knew from the moment he picked him up that morning, the hoodie he was wearing, blue fabric fainted after too many washes and that Jude stole from his wardrobe. He must have thought the Norwegian had forgotten about it but he knows, and knows that Jude only reaches for this piece when something is bothering him.
So now he keeps on driving through the streets, throwing glances to the man in the backseat and his little nervous gestures. They’re stopped at a red light when Jude leans forward and touches his arm lightly.
“Erling…” He waits for the man quiet ‘hum’ of recognition before shyly asking; “Can we go to your place instead?”
He isn’t even surprised, just nods and changes the route he was taking, not even commenting about how Jude’s hand remains on his bicep, a warm touch even through his clothes. They stay quiet while he parks and while Jude uses the hoodie to cover his face as they go inside, while Erling unlocks the door and while Jude pulls him to the bedroom.
It isn’t until much later in the night, once they’re showered, have eaten dinner and are sitting on the sofa, that Jude really talks. He is wearing another piece from Erling’s closet, a knitted sweater that is too big on him, and there’s a bruise on his knee from dance practice that the Norwegian is applying some cream on it to help it go away.
“I’m pregnant” Jude blurts out, making him stop mid movement. They stare at each other for what seems like an eternity, so long that tears start to accumulate on the Brit’s lash line as he starts to talk again. “I–I found out sunday after you left and I– There’s– The test is still in my bathroom…. if you want to see and–”
“Jude” He calls softly, putting the cream away and cleaning his hands on his own shirt before gently cradling the man’s face between his hands. “My Jude…” It comes out even softer as the other shakes his head and a sob escapes from him.
“I’m sorry, I–I… Think it was that d-day in the shower” And it’s Erling’s turn to shake his head. “No, I–”
“There’s no blame to be taken” He says seriously, pauses to make sure Jude is listening. “What matters now is what you want to do”
He takes a moment, sniffles. “I just released the album, the company–”
“Jude, what do you want to do?” The question is repeated, blue eyes staring into brown ones with deep devotion. “Whatever you choose, I’m with you. When haven’t I taken care of you?”
The heavy truth behind the words gets a smile from the Brit, the stretch of lips accompanied by a small tear rolling down his right cheek. He smiles wider, the action mirrored by his lover and the answer shared quietly almost through telepathy. Jude nods softly, hands finally moving and going straight to the man’s warm skin and long blond strands.
They say nothing as they wrap around each other in an embrace full of meaning, with whispered declarations and giggles of disbelief. When they part is only to have enough space to kiss, passionately and until they’re breathless, and Jude gently takes Erling’s hand to place it over his belly, eyes shining as they look at each other.
“It’s us now, yeah?”